2018 Highlights

If I had to compare 2018 to anything, it would be Doja Cat's Moo. She was cute and fun for a bit, and then we all quickly got over her because she was too much. And that's putting it gently.

In summary, we started the year enjoying the last months of my college career by spending it in leaking basements and accidentally creating a Suicide Squad of unlikely friends. We moved onto graduation and the post-grad era of "What am I actually doing with my life?". (Spoiler alert : still have no idea). By the grace of God, I managed to find a job and become partially financially independent while juggling my social life and sanity in New York City. And to close, we have started paying our own bills and starting the graduate school application process. To put it shortly : it's was a fun ride, but I'm ready to get off.

So before we step into 2019, I thought I should give you a small glimpse into the rollercoaster that was 2018. Enjoy the highlights.

January : The beginning. At the start of the year, we were smooth sailing. I was still in college, and on vacation. I had my 22nd birthday, making me an ~official~ adult and returned to school. This was the start of my second semester, and the only thing on my mind was turning up for the rest of my time in college. Ah, how wrong I was.

February : During the semester before, I had decided to become a Rho Gamma of my sorority (i.e I went missing for four months so I could be a camp counsellor for Greek life). I can’t lie, I missed being able to be with my friends freely but it was a great time for me to reflect on my Greek life experience and how happy I was to help someone else find their place. Rho Gamma reveal with my sister Vanessa and getting back to my sisters after four months of no public contact was a highlight of my time in Greek life.

March : This month was full of activities. I was lucky enough to take a trip to Colorado where we tried some *cough* new things. Colorado was a welcome change of pace from the boredom I was starting to feel in Connecticut, and taught me that it's not the place you visit but the people. This was also the month of my sorority formal (our version of the Grammys). It was the last time I would get to celebrate with my sisters as an active and it was a night that I (maybe) remember.

April : One of my favorite turning points of the year. It was in this month that I made a new group of friends, which to most by weird. I mean, why bother making new friends two months from graduation, right? But let me tell you, it was the best thing that happened to me. From senior trip to spring weekend, to Greek beach day, and a few (by few, I mean many) scandals in between I made a lot of memories that will last a lifetime. I learned a lot from that group of friends but the most important was : don't let other people's judgements of other stop you from living your life. I'm sure there were lots of people who thought that this group of people who hadn't spoken until now was problematic. But honestly, I didn't care. They made me laugh, got me out of my shell, and were the biggest support system I had. I’m thankful for these girls and how much they changed the few months of my time in college. It would not have been the same without them.

May : A bih graduated! Graduation was a monumental moment I had been waiting for since sophomore year. College was fun and all but after awhile I felt that I was ready for a change of pace and it felt like I had just been waiting for the day I could leave. Those last few weeks with my friends were spent having dining hall takeovers, beach days with lots of tears, and brunches we weren’t allowed to go to. It was great.

June : People always warn you about the post-grad depression, but let me tell you something : that shit is real. I finally had all the time and freedom I had begged for, and no clue what to do with it. I started an internship and spent a lot of my time running around the city going to different museums and exhibitions for it. It was at this internship that I realized that my life was starting and that I really needed to step it up. Needless to say, it was my first life crisis. (This is also the month I officially bought this domain!)

July : Summer was a rough time okay guys. But we went to lots of concerts so......that makes it worth it. But one thing that came out of this month was a lot of new friendships. Thanks to an internship I had been apart of, I met a lot of genuinely incredible people that are still my friends to this day. I am so thankful to all of the new friends I made, because without them I don't really know what I would be doing. They've been supportive, honest, always looking out for me, and most importantly answer my texts in a timely manner.

August : The month of turn around! I left my internship and got my first real job with a big company. I’ve been working there since and it was a learning experience. I had never had a serious job before, and it was imtimidating going into a big city office everyday. But it was exciting and a freeing experience because I was (fully) financially independent for the first time.

September : Hustle city. This month, I feel like I did nothing but work. It was a transitional period of getting used to the 9-5 and it was honestly a struggle. Trying to make time for myself and my friends was getting increasingly difficult and I honestly just stayed home for most of this month. But it taught me that at the end of the day, I was willing to work really hard and it's paid off considering my job has been extended a few times. Sometimes life isn't all fun. Hard lesson to learn, but worth it.

October : Spooky season! My favorite time of year. By this time, I was finally getting adjusting to working, going out with friends, and making personal time for myself. It was during October that I finally buckled down on this blog and started figuring out what I wanted to do with it as well as some other long term plans that I'll tell you guys about soon. It was also Scorpio season (the sign I actually identify with), and getting to spend a lot of quality time with my friends was desperately needed. It was a good reminder of how lucky I am to have the friends that I do, and there are people who leave you feeling fulfilled and not drained. And plus, more concerts.

November :Now, no offense to any Thanksgiving people out there, but November sometimes can be a lil boring. It’s when fall isn’t cute anymore and Thanksgiving is just a holiday that’s getting in the way of Christmas (fight me on it). But, nonetheless, it was great to spend time with my family and not feel like a kid trying to sit at the adult table. And plus, more concerts.

December : Every December is a time of reflection to think of all the things I did and mostly didn’t accomplish. It’s really easy for me to look at all the things I didn’t complete, projects I abandoned and things that didn’t work out. This year was a little different though. This year was such a massive change from college to the real world and to see how far I’ve come was a satisfying feeling. I wasn’t upset at myself for not doing more, not accomplishing more. I was really proud of all the things I did do, and how far I’ve come and how excited it makes for the new year. December was full of good food and preparing myself for a new chapter in my life.

Well, 2018, it's been real. You taught me a lot about myself, what I can handle, and the types of people I deserve to have in my life. But like our pop legend Ariana Grande said, thank u, next. I hope you guys enjoyed my highlights of 2018! 2019 has come bigger and better things coming and I hope you’re all excited to take this journey with me. Happy New Year!